Golfers trek to International for a day

After a summer of playing golf at the Yampa Valley Golf Course, course pro Tom Dockstader decided some of the high school players who spent time at the course deserved some time off.

"I thought a road trip to watch the PGA tour would be good for some of the kids who had played a lot this summer," said Dockstader, who also coaches the Moffat County High School girls golf team with the other course pro, Chuck Cobb. "I also wanted to generate some enthusiasm."

Dockstader, with chaperones C.J. Rugh and Cody DeGuelle, took nine high school students and Dockstader's two sons Thursday and Firday to The International golf tournament at the Castle Pines Golf Club in Castle Pines, Colo.

The group from Moffat County watched from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday.

"They were excited to see the golfers they'd watched on television live," Dockstader said. "My son Mark called it one of the best days of his life."

Friday's lead group was Davis Love III, Greg Norman and Ernie Els and the visiting crew from Northwest Colorado watched the three famous players throughout the day.

Love III won the tournament and provided some of the best shots that Dockstader and company got to see.

"Love hit a great drive and approach shot on the first hole to within seven feet and then finished for an Eagle," Dockstader said. "He just ate up the course all weekend and led from wire to wire."

After their day at the tournament, Dockstader said he saw a lot of excitement for the game he teaches.

"The kids that came had showed enthusiasm for the game all summer and this was a reward," he said. "I hope we can do it again."